SA20 Foreign Players Shine Bright

International League T20 of the key aims of SA20 has been to ensure that young talent is exposed on a big stage and given the opportunity to perform on the world stage. The league has certainly unearthed some gems with a number of youngsters making their mark in international cricket. The likes of batting prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius, bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen, as well as wicketkeeper batsman Lutho Sipamla and the 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka have all gone on to represent South Africa at various levels.

Memorable Moments from SA20 Season

The 2019/20 season of the SA20 is set to get underway with a host of superstars from around the world descending on South Africa to take part in the T20 tournament. However, it is the rookie class of players who will be looking to emulate or even better themselves on this huge stage for their first time.

This season, each of the six franchise teams – double-defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Joburg Super Kings, Pretoria Capitals, Mumbai Indians Cape Town, Durban’s Super Giants and Paarl Royals – is mandated to sign at least one Rookie player. These are the rookies that have been selected in this year’s auction – JP and CJ King (JSK), Keagan Lion-Cachet (Capitals), Western Province wicketkeeper batsman Daniel Smith (2024) who will back up the Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Proteas star Tristan Stubbs, fast bowler Mika-eel Prince (21) and Durban Boys High School speedster Bayanda Majola.

It also saw Nepali wicketkeeper/batsman Airee Lamichhane become the youngest Rookie to be picked up in an SA20 auction, and that is a massive achievement for the small Himalayan nation. His inclusion in a global franchise league has the potential to have far-reaching effects for Nepali cricket, as it will show that they can compete with the best and make their mark on the world stage despite being a small nation.